14 November 2016

The Meralco Bolts finished the last season on high note. They just came off a runner-up appearance in the 2016 Governors’ Cup Finals after losing in six games against the Barangay Ginebra squad.

They defied all odds after finishing the All-Filipino Cup dead last with a dismal record of 1-10. From there, they worked their way up, finishing on the top four during the Commissioner's Cup with Arinze Onuaku as import before Allen Durham carried them to their first finals appearance.

They didn’t completely suck, but they didn’t instill much fear among opponents either until the semifinal manhandling of erstwhile top team, Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters, in four games before bowing to Barangay Ginebra.

It may not be a completely impressive season if examined at a glance, but if the context of what they went through is analyzed, then they definitely demand respect:

Dillinger’s recovery from injury

Having a borderline senior citizen with Jimmy Alapag and Reynel Hugnatan

Gary David's tantrum and attitude

Coach Norman Black knows that the team continues to hunger and he wants to pounce on the opportunity to stay among the contenders this coming season.

"The team has shown a lot of promise, a lot of improvement, and we're not finished yet," he said.

Meralco has a bright future with incoming sophomores Chris Newsome and Baser Amer leading the youth revolution.

Also arriving from the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft are Ed Daquioag and Jonathan Grey as the Bolts got significant boosts in the wing position.

Known as a gritty crew, Meralco has proven itself equally capable on the offensive end, making them one of the dark horses this 2017 Philippine Cup.

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PBA Advisory

2017 Commissioner's Cup Format

The tournament allows teams to hire foreign players or imports with a height limit of 6-foot-10.

The top 2 teams will earn twice-to-beat edges over Nos. 7 and 8 while the No. 3 against No. 6 and No. 4 versus No. 5 pairing will be a best-of-three affair in the quarterfinals.

The semifinal stage will have a pair of best-of-five matches and the finals will be a race-to-four affair.

Gilas Pilipinas

Manila will host one of the three tournaments in the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The Philippine national men’s basketball team will try to pull off massive upsets against France, New Zealand, Canada, Turkey and Senegal in the competition slated on July 5 to July 10 at Mall of Asia Arena.

A total of 18 teams will participate in the three-nation event whose champions will book tickets to the 2016 Rio Olympics.